Jerusalem Rocks! 2007: Concert for Peace ft. The Black Eyed Peas

Sunday, September 9th, 2007 – Sultans Pool, Jerusalem, Israel.

This Sunday saw the first event of its kind ever to take place in Jerusalem.  The Jerusalem Rocks! Festival brought together artists of international acclaim to promote peace and unity.  The event was headlined by The Black Eyed Peas and featured performances by The Commitments and Arrested Development as well as local Israeli superstars HaDag Nachash.

An avid concert go-er when I lived in North America, since moving to Israel several years ago, I’ve missed seeing big name acts in large stadiums.  Other big names have cancelled performances in Israel due to security concerts, but Jerusalem Rocks! marks the Black Eyed Peas second performance in the Holy Land (and it's sure to not be their last!).  While I’m not a die-hard BEP fan I was not about to pass up this opportunity to see them live in Jerusalem!  Now I’m hooked.  A Black Eyed Peas concert is a special event in its own right but singing about “lady lumps” beneath the old city walls is truly a surreal experience.  In addition to a set from the full band, Fergie and will.i.am treated the crowd to solo performances.  

While the stage saw performers and artists from across the musical spectrum the audience reflected this diversity with twelve-year-old kids darting in and out of teenagers dancing trance-like in the pit.  Students and the twenty-something crowd drank beers while parents walked around with young kids in tow and a religious married woman with traditional head covering head-banged.  The hot dog and popcorn stands boasted Kosher certification and between acts a quorum of men gathered for afternoon prayers. Energy flowed from the stage fusing with that unique Jerusalem vibe.  The audience moved as one.

The organizers who are involved in many other music ventures including “the one shekel festival” strive to make music and culture available to all rungs of society.  They hope to make Jerusalem Rocks! an annual event.
 
On a personal note, I feel blessed to have been a part of the first ever Jerusalem Rocks! Festival.  Thanks to Jeff Pulver and all the other organizers for all their hard work, commitment and most of all vision.  You are changing the face of my beloved city in a very real and tangible way and I hope this is only the beginning.

For more information on the event please visit www.jerusalemrocks.com.